A few hours later...
The dancing and rrint had co to a halt as the won gave endless speeches, prepping the young won about the importance of their new roles as won.
They gave lectures on everything, from kitchen, to cleanliness, to pregnancy, child rearing, to marital duties. They didn’t stop there. They talked about sexual relations they’d explored over the years.
Reana’s face burned with a mix of shock and embarrassnt. She hadn’t expected the conversation to take such a graphic turn. The won spoke openly and frankly, sharing their personal experiences without hesitation.
Reana’s eyes darted around the pavilion, wondering if anyone else was as taken aback as she was. But the young won being honored listened intently, their faces a picture of concentration and curiosity.
Reana’s mind subconsciously drifted back to her own upbringing, where strength, loyalty, and honor were the values instilled in her. On her coming of age, as the human called it, nothing was taught to her, but instead, she took the mantle of leadership.
The contrast between the two cultures was stark, and Reana found herself wondering which one was truly better. As the speeches finally drew to a close, Reana felt a mix of relief and loss.
She truly enjoyed the won’s lecture, but as a person who wasn’t used to sitting at one spot for too long, she knew it was ti to leave, to walk around and exercise her aching legs...and to look for Ryder and get his complint on her outfit.
She hissed at the thought of that. Why was her mind working on its own? She didn’t need Ryder’s approval or complint. The won’s complints were enough.
But as she stood up and began to make her way through the crowd, she couldn’t shake off the feeling that she was hoping to run into him. She told herself it was just to stretch her legs and get so fresh air, but deep down, she knew it was more than that.
Lyra and Kira saw her leave but said nothing, understanding that the Luna had her own thoughts.
As for Mirian, oh, she was too busy eating and listening to the amazing storytelling skills from the won that she didn’t realize that the Luna had left.
....
As Reana walked, she felt a sense of excitent building up inside her, against her will, and she couldn’t help but wonder what Ryder’s reaction would be when he saw her. Would he be impressed? Would he even notice?
Reana facepald, mortified at her own thoughts. Where was her sha? Her wolf’s unusual silence only added to her confusion. If Ryder was their second chance mate, her wolf would have long ago signaled as much. Instead, the wolf’s quietness seed almost...encouraging.
She didn’t know who was egging the other on. Was it her, or was it her wolf?
But one thing was obvious. Reana knew she couldn’t deny it: both she and her wolf wanted Ryder. This inexplicable situation was unsettling, to say the least.
She halted her steps, scanning her surroundings. She was on the bridge, far from the won’s gathering. Now, where should she go from here? Where would she find Ryder?
’Stop it!’ she cautioned herself, taking a deep breath as she shut her eyes. When she opened them again, her gaze fell upon the tranquil clear river flowing beneath the bridge.
The gentle lapping of the water against the shore created a soothing lody that cald her racing thoughts. Reana took another deep breath, feeling her wolf settle within her.
With renewed clarity, she began to walk again, her feet carrying her towards the riverbank. The warm sun on her skin and the sweet scent of blooming flowers enveloped her, and for a mont, she forgot about Ryder and the gathering.
But a different thought settled in her mind, the coming winter. Would this village still exist after the winter? Those smiling, bright faces of those won, would it still be intact? Those young girls, would they be alive to practice what they were taught after winter?
Standing under the shield, by the river bank, Reana’s gaze drifted towards the hills afar, wondering if those hills and mountains could protect the village from the onslaught of avalanches, but unfortunately, avalanches loved to sweep through the hills and mountains, leaving destruction in their wake.
Reana’s eyes narrowed as she thought about the village’s vulnerability. The hills and mountains might provide so protection, but they were no guarantee against the fury of an avalanche. She knew that the village needed a more reliable solution, sothing that would safeguard them against the impending winter dangers.
Reana’s senses prickled as she felt a presence behind her. Before she could react, strong arms enveloped her waist, pulling her close. A gentle weight settled on her shoulder as Ryder rested his head against her, his warm breath whispering against her skin.
Reana’s heart skipped a beat, every cell in her body hissing with satisfaction. What she’d been longing for, for days was finally here.
Ryder’s touch ignited a spark within her, and Reana felt her entire being co alive. She subconsciously leaned into his embrace, her head tilting slightly to accommodate his, and closed her eyes, savoring the mont.
The world around her, including her ’strong will’ lted away, leaving only the gentle pressure of Ryder’s arms and the soft rhythm of his breathing. It was as if ti itself had slowed down, allowing her to revel in the pure bliss of his touch.
"I’ve missed you," he confessed. Reana’s heart swelled at the tender admission, and she felt her wolf’s contented sigh reverberate through her entire being.
"I was here," she replied, her tone neutral. Why had he kept his distance? Why had he ignored her when he knew he was struggling to keep up with the facade?
"Steve gave a bad idea," Ryder admitted, like a bad child telling on their siblings because they refused to add them in on a secret.
Ironically, Ryder already knew the outco of taking Steve’s advice, but he still did anyway, just to put Steve in trouble.
That idiot called him a princess. He couldn’t punish him, but wanted Reana to do it for him.
Petty, he was, and Ryder didn’t feel ashad.
Reana arched her brow, turning to face him, "He said what?"
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